https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e en-us 2022-07-02 23:02:00 UTC 2026-01-28 07:51:06 UTC hello@padlet.com sdeloach9 https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235675420 In this poignant video, the school system is put on trial. It points out that the form of school students experience now is the same form that has existed since public education started in our country. It discusses the need to change how we view schools, group children, determine success, and assess students. In his argument, he discusses the importance of putting the child at the heart of the matter and asking ourselves: what is best for this child? Not every child is the same, learns the same, or has the same dreams. By that standard, not every child should be educated the same. ]]> 2022-07-02 23:06:39 UTC https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235675420 sdeloach9 https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235973681 This article discusses the importance of providing creative learning spaces for students in this modern age. These spaces should house advanced technology (interactive boards, 3D printers, audio/visual technology, etc.). They should also encourage and assist collaboration between students. Another key point was that the collaboration should extend to members of the local community, including those in industry. This helps students engage in solving the real world problems of the community they are a part of. ]]> 2022-07-03 21:32:11 UTC https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235973681 sdeloach9 https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235974540 This article discusses the vital importance of vertical alignment and the positive impact that it had on their school. Vertical Alignment is the practice of co-planning with teachers across grades to focus in on what you want students to learn, and create practical steps to getting them there. The teachers in this This is a perfect example of grouping personnel in a more beneficial way. Instead of teachers only meeting and planning with their department at their grade level, they are getting to experience the perspectives and new ideas of their colleagues across their district. The article also discusses that while the students may not be specifically aware of the vertical alignment steps being taken, they still benefit greatly from a more cohesive curriculum. This two year initiative led to richer teaching and serious collaboration and comradery amongst the teachers of the Baptist school. ]]> 2022-07-03 21:36:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235974540 sdeloach9 https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235975200 This academy is an excellent example of using the school space in a way that is effective and encourages fun and creativity. The students actively want to come to school every day and can't wait to learn. The whimsical school environment sets them up automatically to be actively engaged in learning each day. Each student is placed in a "house" much like the Hogwarts model in the famed Harry Potter series. This video is primarily a tour of the school that includes teacher and student interviews on their experience. ]]> 2022-07-03 21:39:25 UTC https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235975200 sdeloach9 https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235979230 In this TED Talk, Jacobs makes the argument that our education system has been grouping students by age largely since the advent of public school systems and it may be to the detriment of the students. She challenges the audience to think about why we group students by age and not ability. If we have students that are thriving in mathematics, why are they forced to stay in a class with peers of the same age and development? This is a subject that can understandably spark debate amongst those in education, but I believe that her primary point is to cause those of us in education to question it at all. She is making the argument that if we cannot articulate why we do something (other than that we've simply always done it this way), that isn't a good enough reason to continue doing it that particular way. ]]> 2022-07-03 21:58:15 UTC https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235979230 sdeloach9 https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235981071 In chapter four of this text, Jacobs introduces the four structures which work in conjunction with one another, yet which must be altered in order to achieve a new school form. These four structures are: scheduling, grouping of students, grouping of personnel, and use of space. When discussing scheduling, she aptly points out that our current "modern" school calendar is based off of a agrarian calendar. She poses the challenging question: Why do students need to attend school for 13 years? In fact, she challenges the whole notion of how schools spend their time, and suggests that we start to view time as currency. Instead of telling students that they must arbitrarily attend school from 8-3 every day, why not consider how long a specific task or lesson should take? Why not base our learning on how much time each task requires? Do students really need to attend school daily, 180 days out of the year? Is this system truly benefiting the students who experience it, or is this simply just how things have always been done?

]]> 2022-07-03 22:06:40 UTC https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235981071 sdeloach9 https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235982817 This article follows the efforts of Lincoln Elementary school in experimenting with mixed-aged groupings. The school started out small by simply combining kindergarten and 1st grade classes. One of the positive effects of this movement was that it required the school personnel to think critically and creatively at their teaching practices in the classroom. Teachers were now being required to think about student groupings, scheduling, classroom organization, content, etc. The article also points out that this approach is hardly a new one. One room school houses functioned like this (out of necessity), and the Montessori model includes mixed aged grouping as well. It is too soon in the experiment to definitively state that this experiment has markedly improved student performance, however it was, in and of itself, a success. They will be shifting to combining 2nd and 3rd grade classes in the future, hopeful of seeing achievement improve across the board. ]]> 2022-07-03 22:14:44 UTC https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235982817 sdeloach9 https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235992865 This article focuses on intentional data collection as a tool to effectively change and improve schools. It starts by pointing out that there are a lot of different data points, and that data cannot simply be boiled down to numbers, statistics, and percentages. There are many different indicators of student performance, such as test scores, graduation rates, attendance rates, rigor levels, and community service participation rates. It accurately points out that there isn't a "one size fits all" data collection model that can be used across all districts, because each district has its own set of unique needs. The Inquiry Cycle has been developed as a way to be intentional and focused as to what students are asked to do, organize data collected in an effective way, and reflect and act on the results to produce student growth. Data collection for the sake of data collection isn't what is going to produce authentic academic growth. Educators must ask themselves what they hope students will be able to achieve. These goals need to be specific and measured, and the assessment task needs to be directly aligned with the instructional goals, or the data is irrelevant. Once the data is collected, what is done with it is what matters. Educators should not merely be in the business of data collection for the sake of checking a box. The data collected needs to be utilized effectively and systematically to help students bridge academic gaps in achievement. ]]> 2022-07-03 23:00:45 UTC https://padlet.com/sdeloach9/cxc4ns6xqv4jlv0e/wish/2235992865